Holy Saints
Introduction: The English word saint or saints appears in 36 verses in the Old Testament and in 62 verses in the New Testament in the KJV. Three Hebrew terms and one Aramaic term were translated as saint in the KJV Old Testament, and also as other English words — notably including “holy” for all four of the original terms. The words holy and saints are not found as a couplet in the KJV, and perhaps because that would merely be redundant; but it seems from the study that our application of the two English words should not be separated in our thoughts or daily conduct.
NOTE: The Bible text in the study is taken from the King James Version.
A — Old Testament Saints
Deuteronomy 33 “2 The LORD came from Sinai… he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. 3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.”
Psalm 34 “7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.”
Comments: Moses used two of the three Hebrew words in this brief passage. Those called to be saints will receive into their hearts the word of God as they rest at his feet. The set-apart saints have the angel of the LORD encamped at hand, ensuring complete protection. If we fear the Lord, we will have nothing and no one else that we should ultimately fear, in the realm of God’s eternal protection. The LORD’s faithfulness is praised in the congregation and assembly of saints — since the very heavens will praise his wonders, we who are part of the assembly should sing of the mercies of the Lord forever!
B — He Will Keep the Feet of His Saints
1 Samuel 2 “9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Psalm 116 “15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”
Comments: The faithful woman Hannah spoke her praise to the one who placed her among the saints with a sure footing. The saints will inherit the throne of glory, even as a great multitude of them will be lifted out of the dust of physical death to be restored. The saints must continue to hear and embrace the word of the Lord to possess the peace that passes all understanding, and we must avoid returning to folly. The physical death of saints is precious in the sight of the Lord — he will preserve your soul and deliver you from all evil. The saints will shout for joy and all of your works shall praise you Lord. You O Lord, do keep the paths of judgment and preserve the way of your saints! Hallelujah, amen!
C — Saints of the Most High God
Daniel 7 “18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
Comments: This Aramaic word appears only in the book of Daniel as saints, and the context implies strong linkage to the saints and to the events described in the book of Revelation. The final judgment will be rendered in favor of the saints of the Lord, and then all saints will be part of the everlasting, never-ending kingdom of God and of his Christ.
D — New Testament Saints — Called and Sealed
Ephesians 1 “4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. 13 In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
1 Peter 2 “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
Comments: Paul was called and separated to the gospel to bring obedience to the faith among all nations for the praise of Christ’s name. We who are saints have also been called of Jesus Christ in the same manner. We were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his love. When we heard and believed, we were sealed by his Spirit, and we are being built into his holy temple with all believers. We should not grieve the Holy Spirit which has sealed us unto the day of redemption, when Christ will present himself with a glorious congregation with no spot or wrinkle.
E — Be Holy As God Is Holy
2 Timothy 1 “9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
1 Peter 1 “15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Comments: All saints are called with a holy calling, according to God’s purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus before the world began, when no human works existed. We are not holy except for the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit, which he has given to those who are called saints. We are fellow citizens with all saints, and yet the apostle Paul referred to himself as least among the saints! As saints, we should not give occasion for fornication, covetousness, or any other form of uncleanness to be attributed to us; but rather, we should continually give thanks to our Lord for causing us to be partakers of the inheritance of all the saints in light.
F — The Marriage of the Lamb
Revelation 15 “3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”
Revelation 19 “7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”
Comments: We will be established in unblameable holiness before the Father when Christ returns, glorified in his saints, and executes judgment on the ungodly. But the nations will rebel at his return, and the beast will make war on the saints. The saints must resist by keeping the commandments of God and faith in Jesus Christ. The conclusion of the matter will be the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the saints will be arrayed in the white linen of the Lord’s righteousness, to the glory of God our Savior!
Reflections in Prayer
Lord I believe that you are incomparable in strength and faithfulness, therefore my hope is secure that you will establish your Christ forever, and allow me as one of your saints to sing of your mercies forever. I will join all saints in the inheritance of the throne of glory, even if you lift me from the dust of physical death to accomplish it. I have become your possession, O Lord, by accepting through faith, Christ’s atoning sacrifice on my behalf. Enable me to present my body as a living sacrifice in service to my Savior, for the kingdom of God is not food and drink for the physical body; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. I will be established with all other saints in unblameable holiness before the Father when Christ returns. Keep foremost in my thoughts Lord the marriage of the Lamb, when the saints will be arrayed in the white linen of the Lord’s righteousness, to the glory of God our Savior! Hallelujah, amen.
Published 20 July 2004; revised 8 April 2011